Bushing and assembly for improved recoil guide rod assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a bushing that allows for adaptation of a single spring guide rod assembly into handgun with dual spring guide rod assemblies to further allow for greater customization and control of the gun upon recoil when the chambered cartridge is discharged.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to anauto loading handgun, more particularly semi-automatic handguns andtherein their spring(s) and guide rod(s). More particularly thisinvention specifically pertains to a device in the form of a bushingthat allows for the conversion of a hand gun with a dual spring guiderod assembly to as single spring guide rod assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of firearms and moreparticularly the components of a semi automatic hand gun and therein theguide rod assembly. Guide rods in hand guns effectively serve thepurpose of controlling the barrel jump by controlling the recoil springas the slide reciprocates when the cartridge in the gun is dischargedallowing for the shooter to better control the handgun's movement attime of discharge and thus the hand gun's accuracy.

Accordingly, but not limited to, the present invention is directed tolong felt needs of professional and competitive shooters who arefunctionally dissatisfaction with stock and original manufacture'sequipment (“OME”) guide rods notably those with two (2) springs. Takefor instance the newest Generation 4 Glock handguns. Glock handguns havebeen the standard issue weapons of the U.S. military and policedepartments for decades. However the present design in the GlockGeneration 4 is flawed and problematic in its application to custom orlow power cartridges in that its guide rod assembly is consists of a rodwith two (2) springs the specifications and diameters of whichprecludes: 1) use of past Generation 3 single guide rod assemblies, and2) medication of the springs being used to adjust them according to theusers desired customization, be it for recoil control or the custom loadin the cartridge. Thus, the dual spring system is problematic in it doesnot allow for the ejection of lower power or custom loaded cartridges aswell as an inability to customize (e.g. alter the springs' tensions)recoil from the handgun when fired.

Directed to Glock and not limited thereto herein. They have recentlyreleased the new “Generation 4” series of two models of pistols. Theprevious 3 generations of Glock pistols utilized a guide rod composed ofa single rod of plastic, with a single recoil spring of aspring-resistance weight of 17 pounds permanently affixed to the rod.The “Generation 4” Glock pistols has changed this system to be a dualspring unit.

The new Glock Generation 4 pistols are malfunctioning for many users,due to the fact that the spring weight in the new factory dual springsystem is too heavy for 9 mm, the model G17. Since the factory system ispermanently sealed, the springs cannot be changed to a lower weightspring. This new product remedies the condition by allowing the use oflower weight springs of the user's choice.

By allowing the user to use a lower weight spring of choice, the pistolcan be “tuned” to run properly with light power target loads.

Accordingly, there are two purposes for this new item that overcome pastdeficient's or prior designs and implementations:

Thus, what is disclosed herein overcomes a safety and functionalityneeds resulting in dramatic improvement to semi automatic handguns,their functionality, control and accuracy with dual spring recoil guiderods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The design of semiautomatic pistols has not changed significantly sincethe introduction of the Colt 45 Model 1911 in the early 1900's. Sincethat time, others have made some minor modifications in the basicdesign, but nothing of a fundamental nature.

For example, in the Model 1911 pistol, cartridges are stored in anammunition clip, which is inserted into the grip of the pistol. Cockingand firing of the gun are accompanied by movement of an external slide.The slide travels a distance on the order of several inches each timethe gun is fired, and this limits the cycle time or rate at whichsuccessive rounds can be fired.

These components and other parts of the action are subject tosubstantial wear leading to mechanical failure. There exists a long feltneed for substantial improvement with respect to design of theaforementioned recoil guide rod slide assemblies and their components.

There are many uses for handguns that include sport, police and militaryuse, and personal self-defense. In the sport known as action or combatshooting, an individual is presented with a series of targets thatsimulate combat and/or self-defense scenarios. Another type of shootingsport is fixed-target shooting. Police and military personnel alsoparticipate in these sports as part of training exercises. In theseactivities the objective is to hit the target in a given period of timewith as high accuracy as possible. The preferred (and in some sportsrequired by rule) handgun for these activities is the semiautomatic typewhere each round (cartridge, bullet) is automatically loaded from amagazine into the gun barrel.

Automatic/semiautomatic pistol carries a slide/barrel assembly thatslides longitudinally along a frame. A spring braced between the slideand frame holds the slide/barrel assembly in a forward and closedposition. A cartridge chamber exists within this slide/barrel assembly.In the forward position, the rear end of the barrel is covered by thebreech face upon the slide. A hole in the breech face provides access tothe cartridge chamber for a firing element to pierce the primer of thepistol cartridge, thereby discharging the cartridge and expelling thebullet. The firing element can be driven forward by a hammer strikingit, or it can be moved backward under spring pressure and released todrive the firing element forward through the breech face to the primer.In either instance the hammer or the firing element itself is connectedthrough mechanical means to a trigger operated by the user.

Upon discharge of a pistol cartridge, a bullet travels forward outthrough the barrel, the slide/barrel assembly moves rearward for aspecific distance where the barrel moves slightly downward and stops,the slide continues to move rearward opening the cartridge chamber. Theextractor (through spring pressure) holds the spent cartridge casing tothe breech face, removing it from the barrel. As the slide continuesrearward, the ejector (mounted in the frame) contacts the spentcartridge casing, pushing it away from the breech face, causing theextractor spring pressure to be overcome to expel the empty cartridgefrom the pistol. Therein the recoil spring's tension aside fromassisting (or not, if the spring is to heavy for the cartridge beingused) in the removal of the spent casing effects the recoil/barrel jumpand thus accuracy as well as the speed by which the next cartridge maybe cycled for firing in the case of competitive target and/or militaryshooting.

Now at maximum rearward travel, the slide has cleared the magazineassembly, allowing the next cartridge in the magazine to move up(magazine cartridges are loaded under spring pressure). Spring(s)pressure pushes the slide forward contacting the next cartridge from themagazine and delivering it to the cartridge chamber which closes as theslide moves forward. Slide fully forward, the pistol is loaded ready tofire again.

This generally describes the operation of an automatic pistol with alocked breech mechanism, fired either by striker or hammer operation. Astraight blowback mechanism operates similarly. However, the barrel isnot part of a slide/barrel assembly. The slide containing the breechface, is held forward closing the cartridge chamber only by spring forceand with no particular mechanical interlock.

Moreover, because of inherent size limitations, small-sized handgunscurrently available have very limited fire power and very poor accuracyand tend to be relatively heavy and difficult to hold. Such handguns aretypically 0.22, 0.25 or 0.32 caliber and have barrels which are no morethan about two inches long. Accuracy is limited not only by theshortness of the barrel, but also by a tendency of the muzzle to rise(recoil) when the gun is fired.

Two important characteristics of semiautomatic handguns are minimumrecoil and minimum cycle-time (i.e. the time between successive firingsof the handgun). Other important factors are the gun weight and firepower. When a gun is fired the explosion of the gunpowder in theammunition casing or shell creates a forward force on the bullet thatpropels the bullet out of the gun barrel. Basic physics requires that anequal and opposite force be exerted rearward by the bullet on the gun.This force is referred to as recoil. The portion of the recoil sensed bythe gun user is “felt” recoil. The felt recoil is less than the totalrecoil because semiautomatics contain a spring, or springs, which absorbsome of the energy released when fired.

Furthermore, as is well known, recoil of any handgun increases as thehandgun, or that part of it which recoils, is decreased in weight or thepower of the ammunition that is fired is increased. The physical reasonis that a given cartridge will develop a characteristic amount of recoilmomentum, for a particular length of barrel, regardless of the type ofthe handgun in which it is fired. This recoil momentum results in anincrease in the energy of recoil which is proportional to the square ofthe recoil momentum and varies inversely with the mass of the recoilingpart. In other words, doubling the recoil momentum by increasing thepower of the cartridge will quadruple the recoil energy of the handgun.Reducing the recoiling mass, on the other hand, by fifty percent willdouble the recoil energy. Therefore, since reducing the weight of ahandgun and increasing the power of the ammunition substantiallyincreases the handgun's recoil, recoil is a critical problem instability of light-weight handguns when firing powerful ammunition.Conversely decreasing the load of the ammunition with the OME springjeopardizes the ability of the handgun to cycle the next round.

Moreover, because the gun barrel wherein the recoil force is applied isusually slightly above the wrist of the user, a moment is created aboutthe wrist that tends to rotate the gun barrel upward after firing. In asemiautomatic handgun the result is that the handgun must be re-aimedbefore it can be fired again. It can be appreciated, therefore, thatminimal felt recoil is a desirable attribute for handguns since it willreduce the time required to re-aim the handgun.

Similarly the dual spring systems generally utilize a guide rod ofgreater diameter making interchanging with single spring rod assembliesan impossibility, as the same is also a fixed element of themanufacturer. Thus the present invention overcomes many of thedisadvantages inherent in the manufacture, assembly/disassembly, use andmaintenance of conventional handguns.

PRIOR DISCLOSURES

U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,457, issued to A. Miller on Nov. 9, 1971, and U.S.Pat. No. 3,318,912, issued to Miller on May 9, 1967, both disclose agas-operated rifle utilizing a gas-operated piston and rod assembly withthe piston rod telescopically mounted over a stationary guide rod andbeing spring-biased.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,534, issued to P. C. Beretta on Jul. 11, 1972,discloses a gas-operated automatic rifle having a piston and stem insidea gas tube with the stem fixedly attached to the bolt carrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,986, issued to C. Giorgio on Nov. 16, 1982,discloses a gas-operated automatic rifle having a stationary piston anda segmented movable gas cylinder/operating rod assembly including abiasing spring.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,110 issued to Menck on Dec. 3, 1991 discloses animpact-buffering recoil mechanism for firearms includes a buffermoveably mounted on a guiding member between a plurality of coilsprings. The mechanism is positioned in the firearm so that the moveablebuffer travels from a position of repose to interpose between moveableparts of the firearm set into motion by the firing of the firearm andthe frame of the firearm. This interposing will bring the moveable partsto an orderly halt while dissipating impact energy that would normallybe transmitted to the frame and hence to the shooter.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,493,845 issued to Mantis on Feb. 24, 2009 discloses arecoil mechanism for a gun with a frame, a barrel and a slide, has acylinder with a rear with external flange and an internal diaphragmspaced forwardly of the flange and between a rear chamber and a frontchamber in the cylinder. A nut is fixed to the frame and an axle has arear end threaded to the nut and extends in the cylinder. The axle has acollar trapped in the front chamber by the diaphragm. A first springaround the cylinder, has a front end abutting the slide and a rear endabutting the flange. A second spring extending at least partly in therear chamber has a rear end abutting the nut and a front end abuttingthe diaphragm. A third spring in the front chamber, is shorter in lengththan the front chamber. A recoil adjusting plug is used with or withoutthe recoil mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,720 issued to Erdem on Nov. 9, 2010 discloses a autoloading handgun is a short recoil, locked breech, semiautomatic servicepistol. A rear located safety latch is provided for ambidextrous usage.A hold-open lever opens the pistol after the last round in the magazineis fired. A recoil spring guide rod, which alone is used for fieldstripping, is provided. Only three moving elements, a trigger, triggerbar, and a striker are required for firing. The hold-open lever isformed from a single piece lever acting laterally and cooperating withthe magazine follower. A standard Browning swinging barrel lock isutilized wherein at the instant of firing, barrel and breechblock remainlocked with each other, recoil backward for a small distance, and thenswing vertically away from each other via cam elements. The swingingbarrel lock construction has no intermediate parts.

Again for reference and specific to Glock (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,539,889,4,825,744 and 4,893,546) is an intermediate action mechanism that workslike a single action mechanism. Most importantly, it maintains thefirearm in a partially “cocked” position where accidental discharge bydropping the weapon is impossible (a single action design makesinadvertent discharge through dropping prevalent), since theintermediate position of the firing element does not have enough springtension to drive the firing element through the breech face if released.

Also, whereas numerous automatic and semi-automatic pistol designs areknown in the art, they utilize a “blowback” design wherein the bolt isnot locked up in the chamber when the cartridge is fired. Furthermore,the automatic and semi-automatic pistol designs that are utilized aredesigned for pistols and revolvers, such as for instance and not limitedto the: 45 ACP; 9 mm; 10 mm; 38 special; 40 cal, and the 357 and 44magnum, calibers the cycling of the extended round of which is greatlydependant on the tension of the springs being used, or preferablyspring. It are these low pressure aka light loaded custom cartridgesthat cause problems with standard double spring systems that the presentinvention overcomes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of theabove-described firearms by providing a modified recoil guide rodassembly and the components, some of which can be used independently, toimprove the performance of Glock and like semi automatic pistols withdual spring guide rod assemblies.

An object of the present invention is to minimize recoil upon dischargeof a cartridge.

Another object of the present invention is to allow for replacement ofthe spring to allow for customization for the powder charge within thecartridge to be used.

Another object of the present invention is to greater assure theejection of an exhausted cartridge.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide enhancedhandgun control.

Another object is to be able to allow for quick modification of thespring tension.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The present invention achieves its advantages by providing a modifiedrecoil guide rod which utilizes a single guide rod assembly that may beinserted into handguns with a dual spring guide rod assembly therebyallowing customization and functionality as not provided for with theOME guide rods.

Accordingly, the present invention does indeed accomplish theaforementioned objects. Obviously many modifications and variations ofthe present invention are possible in the light of the teachings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This disclosure comprises three independent, and one interchangeable,parts as claimed herein, with the understanding that the materialsdisclosed herein may be altered as would be commonly understood by aperson skilled in the art without deviation from the inventions herein:

1. A hardened steel guide rod that is heat treated and black oxidecoated, and sized to be of a diameter to utilize springs manufactured byISMI Springs that are used in, for example, the springs used in theGeneration 3 (or prior generations) of Glock pistols, or also the stockspring used in Generation 3 or prior Glock pistols. This steel guide rodis of a lesser size to fit in the new Generation 4 frames, when coupledwith,

2. a bushing that fills a hole in the front of the slide, designed tocapture the recoil spring and center the steel rod in the frame;

3. a capturing screw to attach the bushing to the rod, capturing thespring in a semi-compressed state for easy installation, and while notindependently claimed herein, and

4. a recoil guide rod spring.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the present invention's recoil guide rod.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the present invention's bushing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the present invention's capture screw.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the present invention's recoil guide rod, aexemplinary spring, bushing and capture screw.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the present invention's recoil guide rod, aexemplinary spring, bushing and capture screw assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the prior art section, pistols of various well known designs weredescribed. In general, the present invention is applicable to suchpistols, no matter which kind and independent of the detailed design ofits various parts. Accordingly, details of such pistols that are alreadywell known will not be set forth herein, as such are well within theknowledge of those skilled in the art. Instead, details will only begiven as they effect the design and/or fabrication of such parts of thepistols.

FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 1, is the present inventions recoil guiderod 10 further consisting of a proximate end 11, middle section 12 anddistal end 13. Said proximate end 11 being of a greater circumferencethan the middle section 12. Said distal end 13 being milled or otherwisehollowed out 14. Said milled or hollowed out 14 distal end 13 furtherbeing threaded or with otherwise means for retention of a manner forsealing said milled or hollowed out 14 distal end 13.

FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 2, is a representation of the presentinvention's bushing 20. Said bushing 20 comprising a proximate end 21,concave middle section 22 and distal end 23. Said proximate end 21 is ofsufficient exterior circumference 24 or restrict the passage of a springor like mechanisms passage around said bushing 20. Said proximate end 21being hollowed out 25 or not to allow for capture and further possiblerestriction of a spring of like mechanism. Said concave middle section22 being hollowed out 25 or not of sufficient dimensions to allowcapture and/or restrict a spring or like mechanism. Said distal end 23containing a further predetermined void section 26 that would allow forthe insertion of passage of a corresponding recoil guide rod and or ameans of afffixment.

FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 3 is a representation of the presentinvention's means of bushing removable afixment depicted herein as acapture screw 30. Herein said capture screw 30 compromises a proximateend 31, middle head section 32 and manner for tightening 33. Saidproximate end 31 in the preferred embodiment being threaded 34 to allowfor insertion and afixment into a recoil guide rod. Said middle headsection 32 being of sufficient diameter to allow for the retention of abushing.

FIG. 4. Referring now to FIG. 4 is a representation of theaforementioned recoil guide rod 10, bushing 20, capture screw 30 with anexemplary spring 40 (which is not taught or independently claimedherein). Herein it is shown how the exemplary spring 40 is inserted oversaid recoil guide rod's 10 distal end 23 and comes to abut against saidgeode rod's 21 proximate end 22 being centered and held in place oversaid guide rod's middle section 23. Herein further said bushing 20 isinserted over said exemplary spring 40 now enveloping said guide rod 20.Said bushing 20 is hereby used to facilitate the compression of saidexemplanary spring 40 is captured and essentially held in place by saidbushing 20 hollowed out concave interior middle section 22. Now saidbushing 20 with the engulfed exemplanary spring 40 are pressed down suchthat said capture screw's 30 proximate 31 threaded end 34 is insertedinto said bushing's 20 predetermined void section 26 which is furthercompressed over said recoil guide rod's 10 distal end 13 such that saidcapture screw's 30 distal threaded end 34 passed through said bushing's20 predetermined void section 26 and is inserted and affixed into saidrecoil guide rod's 10 distal end 13 that is threaded or otherwisehollowed out 14 for acceptance of said capture screw's 30 proximate end31. When assembled the disclosure and elements of FIG. 4 represent acustomized recoil guide rod with interchangeable single spring issuitable and prepared for insertion and operation in to a semiautomatichandgun.

FIG. 5. Referring now to FIGS is a representation of the aforementionedrecoil guide rod 10, bushing 20, capture screw 30 with an exemplaryspring 40 assembled. Herein the recoil guide rod's proximate end isexposed 11 with the middle section being encompassed by said exemplaryrecoil spring 40 with the guide rod's and said exemplary spring's 40distal ends being enveloped by said busing 20 with said spring beingfurther recessed in the bushing's 20 interior concave middle section 22.The entire apparatus being detachably maintained as a single unit withthe insertion and detachable afixment of said capture screw through thebushing and encompassed spring into said guide rod's distal hollowed outand threaded end such that all of which all that is exposed is thedistal end of said capture screw 32.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A bushing for use with and in semiautomatic hand guns that restrictsthe recoil spring while allowing the recoil guide rod to pass throughsaid bushings interior.
 2. A bushing according to claim 1 wherein saidbushing is of sufficient exterior circumference to maintain the samewithin the recoil system assembly channel in the firearm's frame andslide of said semiautomatic hand gun and maintain the recoils springcontained within said recoil system assembly in place therein.
 3. Abushing according to claims 1 wherein said bushing has an interiorpassage for the semiautomatic hand guns guide rod while furthercomprising a means for interior retention of the semiautomatic handgun'srecoil spring therein.
 4. A bushing assembly for use in a semi automatichand gun in furtherance of a conversion and customization of the recoilcontrol method wherein the same consists of a guide rod and recoilspring, herein said busing assembly comprising a proximate end, concavemiddle section and distal end and a manner for capture and securement ofthe bushing and recoil spring contained thereupon with the guide rod. 5.A device allowing for the customization of semiautomatic hand gunsrecoil springs, comprising: a bushing, a capture screw, a single recoilspring and a single recoil guide rod, all of which serve to replace theoriginal recoil guide rod and recoil springs.
 6. The bushing accordingto claim to claim 5, the bushing being of exterior circumference tocontain the spring and recoil guide rod in the interior of said handgun.7. The bushing according to claim 5, the bushing's interiorcircumference being of a circumference to allow said guide rod to passthrough while simultaneously restricting said spring from passing therethrough and thus being maintained within the confines of thesemiautomatic hand gun's recoil system assembly channel in the firearm'sframe and slide.
 8. The guide rod spring according to claim 5 whereinsaid guide rod spring is of lesser diameter than the original recoilguide rod springs.
 9. The guide rod spring according to claim 5 whereinsaid guide rod spring is of lesser diameter than the original recoilguide rod spring.
 10. The spring according to claim 5 wherein saidspring may be of greater compression strength than that of the originalspring.
 11. The spring according to claim 5 wherein said spring may beof less compression strength than that of the original spring.
 12. Ascrew according to claim 5 wherein said screw is capable of beingattached or otherwise affixed to said guide rod to capture the recoilspring in a semi-compressed state for easy installation of replacementspring.